Tulsa Ice Storm and Power Outage

Just a quick post from the Danz Family underground bunker beneath the darkened city of Tulsa, Oklahoma. For those not aware, we are experiencing the worst ice storm/power outage in the history of Tulsa and possibly the state. Reported power outages in the Tulsa metro area peaked at 255,000 about 10:30 p.m. tonight and there are more than a half-million homes and businesses state wide without power. Phone lines are also down and cell phone service is spotty due to the power outages affecting the cell towers.

Tulsa International Airport was shutdown with power outages, three local hospitals were on backup generators and one of the city's two water treatment facilities is without power. Estimating a week to ten days to get everyone's power back on, although a majority of people should have power much sooner. A state of emergency has been declared for all of Oklahoma's 77 counties.

We lost power ourselves sometime shortly after midnight Sunday night/Monday morning and our phone went out later Monday morning. Not being ones to look to the government to take care of us, Mary was prepared with plenty of batteries, candles, non-perishable food and all other items we might need for an extended power outage. All the laundry was done and the kids were bathed in anticipation of the coming storm. Drew is keeping busy with battery operated handheld games. Additionally, he is keeping four glowsticks nearby at all times which we got last night in our drinks at my firm's annual Christmas dinner. Will is taking everything in stride and doesn't appear to be fazed in the least. The building I work in has power but no internet connection because the internet provider has no power.

Oh, and I’d just like to quickly thank those individuals with large trees who bitch and moan, and do everything in their power to thwart the power companies from trimming back their trees which have grown too close to power lines...thank you...from everyone in Tulsa and across the state...thank you for caring so much about your precious trees. We can all certainly agree that your precious aesthetic sensibilities are far more important than a reliable power grid.

Pictures will be posted when power is restored. That's all for now, we'll keep everyone advised.

[UPDATE - Tuesday, December 11, 2007:] Still no power and no land phone. More businesses are coming back on line but there are still over 200,000 homes/businesses without power in the Tulsa metro area. Today was the first day since Sunday that the total number affected has gone down. Had a nice roaring fire in the fireplace tonight. We do have hot water so we can shower and do dishes. The boys are bundled up as the temp hangs in the upper 50's in the house. Mary's parents, Ma and Pa, have power, so if it gets too bad, Mary and the boys can always go there. I'll stick around and house-sit though. What did people do a hundred years ago? We've grown so soft and lack both the skills and equipment to live without our modern conveniences.

[UPDATE - Wednesday, December 12, 2007:] Our power and phones were restored this morning making our outage about 55 hours...it seemed longer. Most of the people who lost power have not had theirs restored yet, so our thoughts and prayers are with them. The power company expects to make great strides tomorrow as crews from all over the region are in town and starting to make repairs. Uncle David came over this evening to watch some TV and enjoy some warmth. When he got home, he found his power was restored too.

Now we're restocking and preparing for the storm that's supposed to come this weekend.

4 Comments

If it's any consolation, I've had two mulberrys and a cottonwood trimmed back to keep them clear of the neighborhood wire; the only line possibly jeopardized by any of my trees is my own, and so far, I have no issues. (Wooden desk receives two knocks, maybe three.)

Shame on those who complain about the trimming of their trees by Asplundh. After a storm they are not trimming to make a tree "pretty" but to get power restored ASAP and make sure branches are not going to fall and kill someone, damage houses or automoblies, etc. As the mother of someone that was just sent to Tusla, from Ohio, I want you to think about those people coming to your state to help you. They have been sent during your time of need and are now away from their families for possible 2-6 weeks (during CHRISTMAS). My son went gladly so he could help you. He will probably be faced with people yelling at him for cutting their trees but as in the past he takes it in stride and does his job. You should think before you yell at a tree trimmer because you don't know where they are from or how long they drove to come help you (my son was in an Asplundh truck for over 24 hours, and that was after he had already worked a 10 hr day).

Hi, I live in Tulsa too. We have our power restored now lost power Sunday night and got it back thursday night. Monday morning I went to work by noon we were sent home due to power problems. After driving to and from work that day, crossing 20+ intersections none with power, and noticing all the stores closed without power, I knew there was a problem. After spending the night at home in the dark, I couldn't get to work fast enough. But we couldn't work, we had no power. So I went to get a generator and chainsaw from my aunt. While driving to Wagnor I spotted a convoy of 15 bucket lift trucks heading to Tulsa, 10 min later another convoy of 12 all heading to Tulsa, It gave me goosebumps, after picking up the generator I passed another convoy as I headed home. I can't thank enough all the people from out of state who came to help. Without them 10's of thousands of people would be cold and in the dark for weeks.

Power is still out most places around midtown. We didn't lose power until 7:30 this morning. Coming home from an event last night, the traffic lights were already out at 36th & Peoria and 21st & Utica. Happily, the lines immediately leading to our hous... Read More